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Your Weekend Briefing: Brett Kavanaugh, Hurricane Florence, Russia Your Weekend Briefing: Brett Kavanaugh, Hurricane Florence, Russia
(about 3 hours later)
Here are the week’s top stories, and a look ahead.Here are the week’s top stories, and a look ahead.
1. A Senate showdown is coming.1. A Senate showdown is coming.
Christine Blasey Ford, the woman who accused Judge Brett Kavanaugh of sexual assault when they were teenagers, reached a tentative deal to testify in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday.Christine Blasey Ford, the woman who accused Judge Brett Kavanaugh of sexual assault when they were teenagers, reached a tentative deal to testify in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday.
The negotiations of her testimony are expected to continue on Sunday. The negotiations over the terms of her testimony are expected to continue on Sunday.
Her account could greatly complicate matters for Judge Kavanaugh, who last week — before Dr. Blasey came forward with her account of the assault — seemed destined for confirmation to the Supreme Court. Her account could greatly complicate matters for Judge Kavanaugh, who until Dr. Blasey came forward with her account of the assault seemed destined for confirmation to the Supreme Court.
Voters we spoke with tended to believe Dr. Blasey’s claims, even if some were skeptical about her timing.Voters we spoke with tended to believe Dr. Blasey’s claims, even if some were skeptical about her timing.
Have you been keeping up with the headlines? Test your knowledge with our news quiz. And here’s the front page of our Sunday paper, and our crossword puzzles.Have you been keeping up with the headlines? Test your knowledge with our news quiz. And here’s the front page of our Sunday paper, and our crossword puzzles.
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2. President Trump vs. his Justice Department:2. President Trump vs. his Justice Department:
Rod Rosenstein, the deputy attorney general overseeing the special counsel’s investigation, suggested last year that he should secretly record Mr. Trump to expose the administration’s chaos, and he discussed invoking the 25th Amendment to remove Mr. Trump from office.Rod Rosenstein, the deputy attorney general overseeing the special counsel’s investigation, suggested last year that he should secretly record Mr. Trump to expose the administration’s chaos, and he discussed invoking the 25th Amendment to remove Mr. Trump from office.
None of Mr. Rosenstein’s proposals apparently came to fruition, and he has disputed The Times’s account.None of Mr. Rosenstein’s proposals apparently came to fruition, and he has disputed The Times’s account.
At a rally on Friday, Mr. Trump appeared to allude to the reported remarks, saying that at the Justice Department “there’s a lingering stench, and we’re going to get rid of that, too.”At a rally on Friday, Mr. Trump appeared to allude to the reported remarks, saying that at the Justice Department “there’s a lingering stench, and we’re going to get rid of that, too.”
Mr. Trump will travel to New York on Sunday for his second visit to the United Nations. When he arrives at the General Assembly, he will face tensions with allies in Europe and Asia over his withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal and the pace of diplomacy with North Korea, respectively.Mr. Trump will travel to New York on Sunday for his second visit to the United Nations. When he arrives at the General Assembly, he will face tensions with allies in Europe and Asia over his withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal and the pace of diplomacy with North Korea, respectively.
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3. For the past two years, the world has tried to absorb the details of Russia’s interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.3. For the past two years, the world has tried to absorb the details of Russia’s interference in the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
Our reporters traced the major plotlines of the effort, and it’s clear: The Russians carried out a landmark intervention that will be examined for decades to come. Well-connected Russians worked aggressively to recruit or influence people inside the Trump campaign.Our reporters traced the major plotlines of the effort, and it’s clear: The Russians carried out a landmark intervention that will be examined for decades to come. Well-connected Russians worked aggressively to recruit or influence people inside the Trump campaign.
Read the full investigation.Read the full investigation.
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4. It’s been just over a year since Hurricane Maria ravaged Puerto Rico, and the island is still in ruins.4. It’s been just over a year since Hurricane Maria ravaged Puerto Rico, and the island is still in ruins.
People who asked FEMA for help with basic repairs — for missing roofs, collapsed walls, dangerous mold, soaked belongings — waited for months and often did not get enough to even start the process. Our journalists visited more than 150 homes there to document the damage.People who asked FEMA for help with basic repairs — for missing roofs, collapsed walls, dangerous mold, soaked belongings — waited for months and often did not get enough to even start the process. Our journalists visited more than 150 homes there to document the damage.
Separately, we asked a cross-section of Puerto Rican musicians, actors and comedians to talk about how the storm affected their lives and influenced their work.Separately, we asked a cross-section of Puerto Rican musicians, actors and comedians to talk about how the storm affected their lives and influenced their work.
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5. Hurricane Florence has come and gone, but the challenge for the Carolinas is just beginning.5. Hurricane Florence has come and gone, but the challenge for the Carolinas is just beginning.
At least 42 people have died, and the threat has not completely subsided. The past week has been one of heroic rescues, hard choices and potential environmental crises — including a dam breach on Friday that allowed coal ash to seep into a river.At least 42 people have died, and the threat has not completely subsided. The past week has been one of heroic rescues, hard choices and potential environmental crises — including a dam breach on Friday that allowed coal ash to seep into a river.
And because of President Trump’s trade policy, homeowners and businesses trying to rebuild will pay more for lumber and other materials.And because of President Trump’s trade policy, homeowners and businesses trying to rebuild will pay more for lumber and other materials.
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6. There are just six weeks to go until the November elections. Here are some trends to watch.6. There are just six weeks to go until the November elections. Here are some trends to watch.
The battle for control of the House of Representatives will come down to roughly 75 seats that are most competitive this fall. The Times grouped those districts into five battlefields — not by what part of the country they’re in, but by the social and cultural characteristics they share. (Think “outer suburbs,” “the open West” and “metropolitan melting pots.”)The battle for control of the House of Representatives will come down to roughly 75 seats that are most competitive this fall. The Times grouped those districts into five battlefields — not by what part of the country they’re in, but by the social and cultural characteristics they share. (Think “outer suburbs,” “the open West” and “metropolitan melting pots.”)
There has been a surge of L.G.B.T. candidates running for elected office, and advocates are hoping for a “rainbow wave.” But there’s a split along party lines.There has been a surge of L.G.B.T. candidates running for elected office, and advocates are hoping for a “rainbow wave.” But there’s a split along party lines.
Another trend? An uptick in female politicians running for elected office and winning primaries. But according to a new study released by Pew, women aren’t so sure voters are ready to elect them.Another trend? An uptick in female politicians running for elected office and winning primaries. But according to a new study released by Pew, women aren’t so sure voters are ready to elect them.
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7. Our writers profile nine families whose lives are tied to Arlington National Cemetery’s Section 60, the final resting place of loved ones they lost to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.7. Our writers profile nine families whose lives are tied to Arlington National Cemetery’s Section 60, the final resting place of loved ones they lost to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
No other place holds such a density of Americans killed in combat since the terrorist attacks of 2001, a fact that has made these few acres a sacred and singular memorial ground for those connected to the people who died.No other place holds such a density of Americans killed in combat since the terrorist attacks of 2001, a fact that has made these few acres a sacred and singular memorial ground for those connected to the people who died.
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8. 25 years after the death of Pablo Escobar, Medellín, Colombia, his hometown, has turned a page on its violent past. But it hasn’t been able to bury his ghost.8. 25 years after the death of Pablo Escobar, Medellín, Colombia, his hometown, has turned a page on its violent past. But it hasn’t been able to bury his ghost.
Tourists flock to Mr. Escobar’s former home, the prison where he was held and his grave, aggravating local officials and residents who resent the lionization of a violent criminal whose wounds are still deeply felt across the city.Tourists flock to Mr. Escobar’s former home, the prison where he was held and his grave, aggravating local officials and residents who resent the lionization of a violent criminal whose wounds are still deeply felt across the city.
The conflict is a prime example of how Medellín still struggles with the Escobar narrative. Who gets to tell this history of the drug wars? Where is it told — in the streets or in museums? And who are the protagonists — the villains or the victims?The conflict is a prime example of how Medellín still struggles with the Escobar narrative. Who gets to tell this history of the drug wars? Where is it told — in the streets or in museums? And who are the protagonists — the villains or the victims?
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9. A cross-border baseball team calls both Texas and Mexico home.9. A cross-border baseball team calls both Texas and Mexico home.
When the Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos, one of Mexico’s oldest baseball teams, decided to play half their games in Texas, it felt like a natural choice. Fans, players and team employees have long crossed back and forth using visas and special permits common in border towns.When the Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos, one of Mexico’s oldest baseball teams, decided to play half their games in Texas, it felt like a natural choice. Fans, players and team employees have long crossed back and forth using visas and special permits common in border towns.
But it can be a reminder of the danger, or impossibility, of crossing the border.But it can be a reminder of the danger, or impossibility, of crossing the border.
As the mayor of Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, put it: “Baseball came here to unite what politics perhaps hasn’t been able to do.”As the mayor of Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, put it: “Baseball came here to unite what politics perhaps hasn’t been able to do.”
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10. Finally, the reign of ranch dressing; the return of “Murphy Brown”; and a look into Italy’s shadow economy: We have these stories and more in our Best Weekend Reads.10. Finally, the reign of ranch dressing; the return of “Murphy Brown”; and a look into Italy’s shadow economy: We have these stories and more in our Best Weekend Reads.
In this week’s Magazine, take a sonic journey across the globe.In this week’s Magazine, take a sonic journey across the globe.
For more suggestions on what to read, watch and listen to, may we suggest these seven new books our editors liked, a glance at the latest recommendations from Watching, or our music critics’ latest playlist.For more suggestions on what to read, watch and listen to, may we suggest these seven new books our editors liked, a glance at the latest recommendations from Watching, or our music critics’ latest playlist.
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Have a great week.Have a great week.
Your Weekend Briefing is published Sundays at 6 a.m. Eastern.Your Weekend Briefing is published Sundays at 6 a.m. Eastern.
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